Photo by Gracie Withers/George Mason Athletics

FAIRFAX, Va. – An early goal gave the George Mason men's soccer team momentum, but a couple mistakes in the second half cost the Patriots a chance at an upset.

Gonzaga rallied with two goals in the second half as the Patriots suffered a 2-1 loss on Sunday afternoon in the D.C. Capitol Cup at George Mason Stadium. The Bulldogs (5-0-1), who are ranked 21st nationally by Top Drawer Soccer, came from behind to stay unbeaten through six games.

“It is a bittersweet result,” George Mason head coach Greg Andrulis said. “I thought there were moments where we were OK. We had a couple bad breaks in the second half where we lost a little concentration. (Gonzaga is) good enough to take advantage of both of those. That is the difference between a top 20 team and a team that is 1-3. We didn't take advantage of the chances we had and they were able to put theirs away.”

Meeting Gonzaga on the pitch for the first time, Mason (1-3-1) struck first in the 21st minute.

After creating a Bulldogs turnover, junior Graydon Hester dribbled up field and passed off to Henning Dirks. The junior breezed down the sideline and sent a cross into the box. Junior Tolu Ibikunle elevated over a defender, getting his head on the ball and knocking it to the right of Bulldogs goalkeeper Ben Willis and into the back left corner. It was the first goal as a Patriot for Ibikunle, a transfer from West Virginia.

Despite winning the shooting battle 7-3 at the half, Gonzaga had just one shot on goal in the opening period. The Patriots were able to hold the Bulldogs at bay and go into halftime with a one-goal lead.

In the second half, though, Gonzaga responded with two goals inside the box. The Bulldogs evened the score with a goal in the 61st minute. Graison Lee found space on the end line and passed off to Christo Michaelson, who buried a shot into the net from 12 yards out.

“Their guy just beat our guy on the line,” Andrulis said. “(Lee) made a great play, turned the corner, beat our guy and then I think everybody else was ball watching instead of tracking their guys. Their No. 8 (Michaelson) is a terrific player, had a great game for them and steps up and buries it.”

Mason then gave up the game winner in the 74th minute off a set piece by Gonzaga.
On a throw-in from the Bulldogs, the ball bounced off the side of a Mason defender and right to an open Gonzaga player. Ben White knocked in a shot from 10 yards out in the middle of the box with his left foot to the left of a diving Mason goalkeeper Steffen Kraus for a 2-1 lead.

“The second one can't happen,” Andrulis said. “The second goal, that just can't. That is something that shouldn't happen at this level. We got to get back and work on it and make sure we concentrate and make sure we're the first to the ball.”

The Patriots had a couple chances late to tie the game. With less than four minutes remaining, Dirks fired in a shot from the right side that went right to Willis. Just 30 seconds later, Ibikunle nearly knotted up the score. He was able to knock the ball from free from Willis but his shot clanged off the post and out of bounds.

Gonzaga outshot the Patriots 15-9 and had five shots on goal, including four after halftime. The Bulldogs entered the game averaging 2.6 goals a game, ranking in the top 20 in the country. Mason, on the other hand, is allowing 1.8 goals a game. 

That is an area Andrulis wants shored up before Mason's next game. The Patriots will take on West Virginia on Saturday night in Morgantown, W.Va. The Mountaineers (3-1) have won three straight – all 1-0 shutouts.

“Every game gives you stuff to work on and this game (against Gonzaga) is no different,” Andrulis said. “That is going to be a top 15 team in the country next week. So there are some things where we say, 'OK, we're close. We're getting there.' But, at the end of the day, you can't give up two goals at home and expect to win games... We have to learn from that. If we don't get better defensively soon it is going to be a tough corner to turn. But we're going to get better defensively right away.”